Kazakhstan May Ban Storage Of Extremist And Terrorist Materials

Deputies of the Mazhilis considered in the first reading a bill regulating the activities of special state bodies, Orda.kz reports.

The amendments affect three codes and 11 laws. Among the key changes is stronger protection of state secrets. The bill proposes to classify a reduction in their level of protection as a threat to national security. This should create a legal basis for stricter control and the suppression of violations.

The bill also introduces a ban on the storage of extremist and terrorist materials. It is also proposed to include the identification and elimination of the causes of their spread among the tasks of countering extremism.

This innovation is especially relevant today, as radical ideas and beliefs are being actively promoted through the internet and social networks, thereby influencing the worldview and behaviour of young people. deputy Olzhas Kuspekov said. 

The bill would also remove the age limit for enlistment in the operational units of special bodies. It would also simplify the procedure for recovering training costs from cadets and students in the event of expulsion or dismissal.

Deputy chairman of the National Security Committee Almas Naimantayev noted that such a ban already exists in Kazakh legislation. But now it will be brought into line with the Code of Administrative Offences and sectoral laws on combating extremism and terrorism.

The Administrative Code already establishes liability for storing such materials. However, sectoral laws prohibit only the import, production and distribution of such materials. Thus, the introduction of these amendments will not entail a change in liability, since the proposed changes are only clarifying in nature.Naimantayev said. 

Original author: Ilya Astakhov

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